4 cylinder mode
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 29,113
Likes: 2,194
From: Big Bend Country, TX
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15- '16-'17-‘18-‘19-'20-'21
NCM Lifetime Member
Well, I guess at some point we'll know the real answer after some forum member that is running one has an issue and their warranty claim is denied as a result.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,425
Likes: 238
From: Macomb MI
The Range plug has been out for years and used heavily by the 5th gen Camaro crowd. It does not leave any marks on the car...
And I'm not sure what "problems" folks are talking about. My complaints are how intrusive AFM is -by design- in the current implementation. Not the operation itself. There's a delay in the throttle response as it shifts back to V8 mode before doing anything. And the quiet exhaust is exacerbated, even in V8 mode, when the NPP valves close for noise regulation controls.
Do this test if you haven't for A8/6 owners. Put the dash DIC display in the instant econ mode that displays V4/8 operation (Info mode, toggle down 4-5 screens). Now pay attention to how often the car goes into V4 and pay attention to the behavior around throttle applications and the feel/sound of the transitions. Also note that the exhaust is quiet in V4 mode.
Now do the same while paddle shifting in M mode. This keeps V8 but can't prevent the NPP valve closures... So now pull fuse 42 and keep driving in M car will downshift on its own, and you will always hear the V8 sounds... ****It's this mode of operation, if you like all the V8 sounds, that the Range plug (or AFM tuned out) will allow while in D and the fuse pulled.
As I've said before, it's this V8 burble unruffled and without intervention in D that is so much better, IMO, and is IMPOSSIBLE without some tweaking. Again, not subtle once you've experienced the difference.
And I'm not sure what "problems" folks are talking about. My complaints are how intrusive AFM is -by design- in the current implementation. Not the operation itself. There's a delay in the throttle response as it shifts back to V8 mode before doing anything. And the quiet exhaust is exacerbated, even in V8 mode, when the NPP valves close for noise regulation controls.
Do this test if you haven't for A8/6 owners. Put the dash DIC display in the instant econ mode that displays V4/8 operation (Info mode, toggle down 4-5 screens). Now pay attention to how often the car goes into V4 and pay attention to the behavior around throttle applications and the feel/sound of the transitions. Also note that the exhaust is quiet in V4 mode.
Now do the same while paddle shifting in M mode. This keeps V8 but can't prevent the NPP valve closures... So now pull fuse 42 and keep driving in M car will downshift on its own, and you will always hear the V8 sounds... ****It's this mode of operation, if you like all the V8 sounds, that the Range plug (or AFM tuned out) will allow while in D and the fuse pulled.
As I've said before, it's this V8 burble unruffled and without intervention in D that is so much better, IMO, and is IMPOSSIBLE without some tweaking. Again, not subtle once you've experienced the difference.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 4,101
Likes: 719
From: Northeast MA & Mad Beach FL
The Range plug has been out for years and used heavily by the 5th gen Camaro crowd. It does not leave any marks on the car...
And I'm not sure what "problems" folks are talking about. My complaints are how intrusive AFM is -by design- in the current implementation. Not the operation itself. There's a delay in the throttle response as it shifts back to V8 mode before doing anything. And the quiet exhaust is exacerbated, even in V8 mode, when the NPP valves close for noise regulation controls.
Do this test if you haven't for A8/6 owners. Put the dash DIC display in the instant econ mode that displays V4/8 operation (Info mode, toggle down 4-5 screens). Now pay attention to how often the car goes into V4 and pay attention to the behavior around throttle applications and the feel/sound of the transitions. Also note that the exhaust is quiet in V4 mode.
Now do the same while paddle shifting in M mode. This keeps V8 but can't prevent the NPP valve closures... So now pull fuse 42 and keep driving in M car will downshift on its own, and you will always hear the V8 sounds... ****It's this mode of operation, if you like all the V8 sounds, that the Range plug (or AFM tuned out) will allow while in D and the fuse pulled.
As I've said before, it's this V8 burble unruffled and without intervention in D that is so much better, IMO, and is IMPOSSIBLE without some tweaking. Again, not subtle once you've experienced the difference.
And I'm not sure what "problems" folks are talking about. My complaints are how intrusive AFM is -by design- in the current implementation. Not the operation itself. There's a delay in the throttle response as it shifts back to V8 mode before doing anything. And the quiet exhaust is exacerbated, even in V8 mode, when the NPP valves close for noise regulation controls.
Do this test if you haven't for A8/6 owners. Put the dash DIC display in the instant econ mode that displays V4/8 operation (Info mode, toggle down 4-5 screens). Now pay attention to how often the car goes into V4 and pay attention to the behavior around throttle applications and the feel/sound of the transitions. Also note that the exhaust is quiet in V4 mode.
Now do the same while paddle shifting in M mode. This keeps V8 but can't prevent the NPP valve closures... So now pull fuse 42 and keep driving in M car will downshift on its own, and you will always hear the V8 sounds... ****It's this mode of operation, if you like all the V8 sounds, that the Range plug (or AFM tuned out) will allow while in D and the fuse pulled.
As I've said before, it's this V8 burble unruffled and without intervention in D that is so much better, IMO, and is IMPOSSIBLE without some tweaking. Again, not subtle once you've experienced the difference.
That's my Complaint also.If it was programmed to Stay in V8 longer, even just a little longer, instead of almost instantly going back to V4 when you let off the throttle, it would be less intrusive and not as noticeable.
The way it's programmed now it wants to run in V4 as much as possible and longer than needed.
Around town doing 30-40 mph if I Lightly accelerate, I almost have to force it with More throttle before it will go back into V8 from V4.
That's when it Lugs, Hesitates, and Vibrates before switching to V8
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,296
Likes: 156
From: Location: Location: kAnSaS
Question? I did this mod and wondering if the GM tech will notice it if I have a warrantee problem with my engine or other parts under the hood.
Last edited by HANNY; Jan 2, 2016 at 07:52 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 4,495
Likes: 1,263
From: Jacksonville FL
That's my Complaint also.If it was programmed to Stay in V8 longer, even just a little longer, instead of almost instantly going back to V4 when you let off the throttle, it would be less intrusive and not as noticeable.
The way it's programmed now it wants to run in V4 as much as possible and longer than needed.
Around town doing 30-40 mph if I Lightly accelerate, I almost have to force it with More throttle before it will go back into V8 from V4.
That's when it Lugs, Hesitates, and Vibrates before switching to V8
Mine does the same, Lugs, Hesitates and even sometimes vibrates my steering wheel. GM advertises the change from V8 to V4 and back as Seamless. Might have to use that advertisement one day. My Impala has AFM and IT DOES go from V6 to V3 and back Seamless.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 8,243
Likes: 4,617
From: Southwest Florida
I recently read a couple of articles that discussed how much stress is put on the belt tensioner, drive bearings, camshaft, torque tubes and other engine components as a result of AFM going back & forth between 4 & 8 cylinders.
This is just another reason why I purchased a AFM disabler.
Last edited by Maxie2U; Jan 3, 2016 at 09:28 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 98
Likes: 2
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 8,243
Likes: 4,617
From: Southwest Florida
You may want to completely disable your car from going in and out of V4 mode with a Range AFM Disabling Device.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Fleming Island Florida
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Fleming Island Florida